Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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GAYLORD RG
,6
B
P/ROAJ LJuA/i
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OF AARON
BURR, AND SOME OF HIS COTEMPO-
RARIES OF THE NEW YORK BAR.
A paper read by John Gkbenwoop, at Brooklyn, N. Y., Sept.
24, 1868, before the L. I. Historical Society.
I think, as will give you some distinct idea for twenty-four hours.
|
The exception was
of them, if they should not be sufficient to when some friend was invited by him to
reproduce them before you. dinner. He was very fond, when seated
The public life and character of Col. Burr at table, of having
his favorite cat near him,
are well known, for they have already be- and it was a pleasant thing to see jmss sit
come matter of history but his personal
; on the arm of his chair and keep him com-
habits and peculiarities are not so well un- pany. As to spirituous liquors I have no
derstood, and it is these which I desire hesitation in saying, from personal know-
more particularly to bring before you. ledge, that he never used them. His usual
Indeed it is from these sources that more beverage was claret and water sweetened
may be learned of a man's real character with loaf sugar. His wine he bought by
than from any other. the cask, and had bottled at his residence.
What then can I say of this remarkable The result of his abstemious course of living
— —
man for such he truly was Avho though was that he enjoyed uniform good health,
small in person filled so great a space —
Avho which was seldom if ever interrupted.
once moved familiarly before the world, and His industry was of the most remaikable
yet seems to us now so like a mystery ! character. Indeed it may Avith truth be
There is a very old maxim with which said that he was never idle. He was al-
we are all conversant, de mortuis nil nisi ways employed in some way, and what is
honum. I admit that it is more to be com- more, required every one under him to be
mended for its charity (blessed virtue it is) so. Sometimes in coming through the
than to be regarded by the truthful histo- office and observing that I was not at work,
rian or biographer. But it may be safely as I might not have been for the moment,
said that it has been quite sufficiently de- he would say, " Master John, can't you find
parted from in the case of Col. Burr. something to do ?" although it is safe to
The dark side of Col. Burr's character say that no clerk in an office was ever more
has been very often presented, and it is constantly worked than I was. He would
unnecessary that I should make another rise at an early hour in the morning, de-
exhibition of it. It gives me pleasure to —
vote himself to business all day fur he had
be able to bring into the light features upon —
a large general practice and usually re-
which it is more agreeable to dwell, and tired to rest not sooner than twelve or half-
some of which, indeed, may be contem- past tw'elve at night. In this way he would
plated with advantage. accomplish a vast amount of work. His
Let me first speak of his temperance in perseverance and indefatigability, too, were
eating and drinking. It would be natural to strikingly characteristic. No plan or pur-
suppose that a man somewhat unrestricted, pose once formed was abandoned, and no
as it must be admitted he was, in one re- amount of labor ever seemed to discourage
spect which may be regarded as in some him or cause him to desist. To begin a
degree correlative, would not be very much thing was, with him, to finish it. How
restrained in the indulgences of the table. widely in this respect he difl\?red from some
But the fact is otherwise. His diet was professional men of his own and the present
very light. A cup of coftee and a roll, with day I need hardly say. I could recur to
but tseldora the addition of an egg, and some greatly his juniors in years who were
never of meat or fish, constituted his break- and are his very opposites in this respect.
fast. His dinner, in a majority of cases, He was for having a thing done, too, as soon
consisted of roasted potatoes seasoned with as it could be, and not, as some have erro-
a little salt and butter, or perhaps of some neously supposed, for seeing how long it
thickened milk (called sometimes " honny could be put oft' before it was begun.
clabber'''') sweetened with sugar. A
cup of But I must say a w'ord of his manner in
black tea with a slice of bread and butter court. He seemed, in the street aiul every-
was the last meal and these constituted,
; where in jniblic, to be strongly conscious
as the general rule, his whole sustenance that he was a mark for observation — not
— ,
indeed in the sense in whicli Hamlet is His manners were courtly and his carriage
spoken of as " tlie observed of all obser- graceful, and he had a winning smile in
vers," but as an object, to some of curio- moments of ]»leasant intercourse which
sity, to others of hostile or suspicious re- seemed almost to charm yon. He would
gard. Carrying this feeling into a court- laugh too, sometimes, as if his heart was
room his manner was somewhat reserved, bubbling with joy, and its eifect was irre-
'though never submissive, and he used no sistible. Nobody could tell a story or an
unnecessary words. He would present at anecdote better than he could, and nobody
once the main jioint of his case, and as his enjoyed it better than he did himself. His
preparation was thorough, would usually maxim w.i.s suaviterin modo^ fort iter in re.
be successful. ]>ut he was not eloquent. Yet where spirit and a determined manner
If he thought his dignity assailed in any were required, probably no man ever
manner, even infcrentially, his rebuke was showed them more eftectively. Although
withering in the cutting sarcasm of its few comparatively small in person and light in
words, and the lightning glance of his ter- frame, I have seen him rebuke and i)ut to
rible eyes which few could withstand. I silence men of position in society greatly
may say in this connexion that his self-pos- his supei'iors in physical strength, who
session, under the most trying circumstan- were wanting in respect in their language
ces, was wonderful, and that he probably towards him.
never knew what it was to fear a human Col. Burr was a social man ; that is, he
being. liked the company of a friend, and would
If there was anything which Burr's proud spend a half hour with him in conversation
spirit supremely despised it was a mean^ most agreeably. Occasionally one with
prying curiosity. He early inculcated on whom he had been on intimate terms, and
me the lesson, never to read even an opened who had shared his adventures, like Samuel
letter addressed to another which might be Swartwout or William Ilosack, would call
lying in my way, and never to look over and have a pleasant time. Dr. W. J. Mc-
another who was writing a letter. It was Nevin was also intimate with him. He
one of my duties to copy his letters, and I was very fond of young company. Chil-
shall never forget the indign.ant and wither- dren were delighted with him. He not
ing look which, on one occasion, he gave only took an interest in their sports, but
to a person in the office who endeavored to conciliated them and attached them to him
see what I was copying. Neither would by presents. The latter, I may observe,
he tolerate any iihpertinent staring or gaz- was also one of his modes of pleasing the
ing at him as if to spy out his secret more mature of the gentler sex.
thoughts and reflections. He was very fond of alludmg to events
" Too close inquiry, his stern glance would quell
Indeed I think that he
in his military life.
There breathed but few whose aspect might defy chiefly prided himself upon his military
The full encounter of his searching eye. character. His counsel was much sought
He had the skill when cunning's gaze would seek by foreigners engaged in revolutionary en-
To probe his lieart and watch his changing cheek, terprises, who happened to be in New
At once the observer's purpose to espy,
And on himself roll back his scrutiny." York and during the period of the revo-
;
liad also the strongest affections. I shall Something will be expected to be said
never forget the incidents concerning the by me with regard to his duel with Gen.
loss of liis daughter Tlieodosia, then wife Hamilton. So much has been written on
of Gov. Alston of South Carolina. Soon this subject already that I can add nothing
after Col. Burr's return fiom Europe to to the history of the transaction. Every
New York he arranged for her to come on one willform an opinion for himself as to
and visit him, and she set out, as is known, who was to blame in that imfortunate affair.
from Georgetown in a small schooner called I will say, however, that it was a matter to
the l^atriot. Timothy Green, a retired which Col. Burr, from delicacy, never re-
lawyer in New Yoi-k, a most worthy man ferred. He was no boaster an<.l no calum-
and an ohl friend of Col. Burr, went on by niator, and certainly he would have hail no
land to accom])any her. The tact of the word of censure for his dead antagonist.
departure of the vessel with his daughter I will relate, however, an anecdote told me
and Mr. Green on board was communicated by him indicating the degree of hostility
by letter from Gov. Alston to Col. Burr, felt towards him by some after that trans-
and he looked forward with anticipations action, and at the same time his own intre-
of joy to the meeting which, after so maoy pidity, although to the latter he seemed
years of separation, was to take place be- not to attach the slightest importance. He
tween himself and his dear child. fullA was travelling in the interior of this state,
time for the arrival of the vessel at New and had reached a country tavern where
York elapsed, but she did not come. As he was to stay for the night. He was
day after day passed and still nothing was seated at a table in his room engaged in
seen or heard of the vessel or of his daugh- writing, when the landlord came up and
ter, that face, which had before shown no announced that two young men were below
gloom or sadness, began to exhibit the sign and wished to see him, and added that
of deep and deeper concern. Every means their manner seemed rather singular. He
was resorted to to obtain information, but had heard that two very enthusiastic young
no tidings were ever lieard of that vessel gentlemen were on his track, and he was
or of her upon whom all the affections of not therefore surprised at the announce-
his nature had been bestowed. " Hope ment. Taking out his pistols and laying
deferred" did in this case, indeed, make them before him he told the landlord to
sick and nearly crush the heart. His sym- show them up. They came up, and as one
bol, which he loved occasionally to stamp was about to advance into his room. Burr
upon the seal of a letter, was a rock in the told him not to apju'oach a foot nearer.
tempest-tossed ocean which neither wind Then addressing them he said, " What is
nor wave could move. But his firm and your business ?'^ The foremost said, " Are
manly nature, which no danger or reverse you Col. Burr ?» " Yes," said the Colonel.
nor any of the previous circumstances of " Well," says the young man, " we have
life had been able to shake, was near giving come to take your life, and mean to have it
way. It was interesting though painful to before we go away." Upon this. Burr, lay-
Avitness his struggle; but he did rise supe- ing his hand ui>on one of his pistols, re-
rior to his grief, and the light once more plied, " You arc brave fellows, are you not,
shone upon his countenance. But it was to come here two of you against one man?
ever afterwards a subdued light. There Now if either of you has any courage, come
Avas a story afterwards that the vessel had out with me and choose your own distance
been seized by the crew and the passengers and I'll give you a chance to make fame.
killed with the view of converting her into But if you don't accept this proposal,"
a ])irate but this story has never been
; bringing the severest glance of his terrible
traced to any reliable source, although a eyes to bear upon them, " I'll take the life
publication was made at one time that a of the first one of you that raises his arm."
confession to this effect had been made by They were both cowed, and walked oft" like
fiome dying sailor. puppies.
1SG3.] IIISTOIMCAL MAGAZINE. 336
It may not perhaps be out of place to said he had been entirely misunderstood
relate here auotlier incident illustrating and misrepresented as to the object which
Col. Burr's remarkable ])resence of mind, he had in view. He had never, he stated,
Mhich occurred while he Avas in Paris. He any design hostile to the United States or
had received a remittance of a considerable any part of it. His object was, as he said,
sum of money, and his valet formed a plan to make himself master of Mexico and place
to rob him of it by coming u])on him una- himself at the head of it, and if they had
wares with a loaded pistol, liurr was en- let him alone he would have done it. He
gaged in reading or writing in his room at seemed to entertain a great contempt for
a late hour at night when the fellow en- Gen. Wilkinson, who was in command at
tered with pistol in hand. Burr recognised the South at the tinie, considering him a
him in a moment, and turning suddenly very weak man.
round, said to him sternly, "How dare you Col. Burr, like other great men, had
come into the room with your hat on ?'' some remarkable ecceniricities of cha-
The valet, struck by a sudden awe and the racter. He Avas very fond of all sorts of
consciousness of having violated that deco- inventions, and ahvays trying experiments.
rum which had from habit become virtu- He puzzled his brains for a long time to get
ally part of his nature, raised his arm to some motive power which would avoid the
take off his hat, when Burr rushed upon necessity of using fire or steam, of Avhich
him, tripped him down, Avrested his pistol Livingston and Fulton then held the mo-
from him, and calling lor aid, had him se- nopoly. He had models made, and I also
cured and carried of got my ambition excited about it. But his
Col. Burr, as is well known, was what is efforts and ray own philosophical powers
termed a good shot with ai)istol. To illus- and chemical knowledge fell short, after a
trate his skill in this respect I will relate a hard trial, of accomplishing the object.
circumstance told me by an old colored One great end which he desii-ed to attain
man named " Harry," who was in the habit, in housekeeping Avas to save fuel —
not mo-
while I was with Col. Burr, of coming to ney ; and Ihave knoAvn hhn to go to an
his house to clean his boots and do little expense, I should judge, of forty or iifty
jobs. "Harry" had lived many years with dollars in contrivances to save live dollars
the Colonel while the hitter's residence was in the value of Avood consumed. When
at Eichmond Plill in the upper part of New Quincy's soap-stone stoves Avere introduced
York. The Colonel often had dinner j^ar- his experiments Avere almost interminable.
ties, and after dinner the gentlemen Avould He Avas very liberal and even reckless in
go out upon the back piazza to enjoy the spending money for certain purposes, Avhile
air, and would amuse themselves by tiring in others, such as bills of mechanics, he Avas
with a pistol at apples which " Harry" very particular and scrutinizing. He liked
would throw up for them. Said "Harry," to have a bill looked over very carefully,
laughing in the way peculiar to an old Af- and reduced to as Ioav an amount as the
rican, "De Colonel Avould hit 'cm alnios case would admit of, but, so far as I know,
ev'ry time while d'oder gentleman couldn't never practised any dishonesty or refused
hit 'em at all." to pay any just debt which he had incurred.
The charge against Col. Burr of treason A Scotch carpenter, by the name of An-
has formed a prominent })art of his history. drcAV Wright, Avho did a great deal of job-
All the facts developed on the trial have bing carpenter's Avork for liim, and Avhose
been long since published, and it will not, bills it was amongst my duties to examine,
of course, be expected that I should refer finding the course pursued in relation to
to them. I will say, however, that this them, took it very good-naturedly, but
was a subject upon which he was always adopted an ingenious expedient to secure a
disposed, whenever proper, to converse with fair amount at least. He Avould make a
those who were intimate m ith him. I my- gross charge for the job and then add the
self have conversed with him upon it. He items in detail, can-ying out also charges
336 HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. [Nov.,
for them. I will not say the amount was limit of propriety within which all public
intended to be duplicated, but after the discussions should be confined. I shall,
ordeal through which the bill passed, he therefore, speak of it in the most general
got, probably, what was fiirly due. terms. I do not believe that Col. Burr
I stated in a former part of this paper was any worse in this respect than many
that Col. Burr was very temperate in eat- men of his own and of the present day who
ing and drinking. Whilst that is true, it pass for better men. The diftcrence be-
is not true that he was so in respect to tween them is that he was much less dis-
smoking. He was an inveterate and con- guised, and that he did not pretend to be
stant smoker. lie even had cigars of an what he was not. I think he was quite as
extra length manufactured to enable him much sought alter by the other sex as he
the better to enjoy the tobacco, and at was a seeker. There seemed indeed to be
the same time to avoid the necessity of a charm and fascination about him which
lighting fresh cigars after others had been contiiuied even to a late i)eriod of his life,
consumed. It was and is now to me in- and which was too powerful for the frail
compreliensible how a man of his slender and sometimes even for the strong to resist.
make could stand such a constant excite- I know that he has been accused of much
ment of his nervous system and draw upon wrong in that respect, and it may be with
his secretory organs (for he Avas not a dry truth. I feel no disposition to justify him
smokei") witliout being seriously injured by in his course, or even to palliate what must
it. But I never noticed that they ])roduced be regarded in the best aspect as a vice.
any deleterious eifect. His constitution 15ut I have heard him say, and if it be true
had no duubt been hardened by the exj*©- it is certainly much in his favor, that he
sures and discipline of his early military never deceived or made a false promise to
life, and this may be the explanation. a woman in his life. Tliis is much more
What will you say when I tell you that in than many can say who have a much better
addition to this he took snuif? name than he has. His married life with
He knew a good deal about horses, and Mrs. Prevost (who had died before I went
could get more service out of one without into his office) was of the most affectionate
injuring him than any man I ever knew, character, and his fidelity never questioned.
lie took journeys often in a horse and gig, There is another thing, too, which I will
and I usually accomj^anied him. He would add to his credit. He was always a gen-
hire at a livery stable, and with a common tlenuxn in his language and dej)ortmcnt.
horse would travel seven miles an hour all Nothing of a low, ribald, indecent, or even
the day through, and would carry this rate indelicate character ever escaped his lips.
sometimes through the second and some- He had no disposition to corrupt others.
times the third day. His mode was to keep One other thing I will add in this connex-
the horse up to that gait, but never to ex- ion. Col. Burr, in every thing relating to
ceed it. He never attempted to pass a business, and indeed in all his e]>istolarv cor-
countryman in a wagon without asking his respondence with men, had a special regard
])ermission, and in this way he avoided all for the maxim that, " things written re-
aimoyances from dust in little races which main," and was very careful as to what he
juight otherwise have taken place. wrote. But with regard to the other sex,
1 have forborne thus far to refer to a such was his confidence in them that he
matter connected with the character of wrote to them with very little restraint.
Col. Burr an<l identilied almost with his Some will ])erhaps like to know what
name, and although not within the plan were bis reliyloas sentitnents. I do not
\\ith which 1 started in this notice, I ought think he was a believer in the liible as con-
not perhaps to omit it. I allude, of course, taining a Divinely revealed religion, nor in
to his (/(dliditries. This is a topic upon the superhuman nature of Christ and what
which it would be imixjssihle to speak with are deemed the main points <jf the scheme
any particularity without transcending that of salvation through Christ. He was, how-
'
career, learn all we can got going he moved along with a measured
the valuable lessons
from his good and mitigate, as far pace, and there was no stopping him. He
qualities,
as we can, his bad ones. was never discouraged by intimations from
We shall breathe now a little more freely, the court, however adverse. It was amus-
as we pass from the portrait which we have ing, and indeed irresistibly ludicrous to an
been for some time contemplating, to ano- observer, to witness the scenes which would,
ther and that is of Caleb S. Riggs, a sometimes take place between him and the
;
gentleman who, in his day, was known Chancellor. Mr. Riggs would often, in
principally as a great chancery lawyer. addressing the Couit, take up a pen and
Mr. Riggs kept his oflice in Pine street, hold it out horizontally before him, and one
Xew York, and was a remarkable man. of his favorite expressions was " now I un-
He was well versed in equity-law and prac- dertake to say." I recollect particularly
tice, and had i)robably the largest Chan- one occasion when the Chancellor, who
cery business of any lawyer at the New was a good-natured man, but had a limit to
York bar. That ^^'as his particular depart- his patience, had heard Mr. Riggs through
ment and specialty. Those were the days a long argument and was satisfied that he
of huge bundles of papers and large bills of was wrong, and that the ground taken by
costs, when proceedings were paid for by him was untenal)le. He expressed this
the folio, and when a short story was usu- opinion to him in his ofi-hand way, and so
ally spun out into a very long one. A bill decidedly, that it was plain he didn't wish
in Chancery was a cui'iosity to a person to hear anything more. But Mr. Riggs
v.'ho had never seen one, and the unlucky was not to be thus put down. The Chan-
defendant found himself charged with a cellor was seated in his chair in the court-
hundred things, and with making a hun- room in the City Hall, New York, with a
diX'd pretences to justify himself which he window on one side looking towards Chat-
never dreamed of The com})lainant was ham street and a window on the other side
called in the bill " The, Orator;' and he looking towards Broadway. After the
was a very prolix one. After a cause Avas Chancellor had expressed his views, as just
ri})e for hearing on the pleadings and proofs, mentioned, Mr. Riggs began,
" Now, if
the of which were taken and reduced your Honor please" (balancing forward his
latter
to writing in an examiner's otiice, it came pen), " I undertake to say"
—
"I don't care
on for argument before the Chancellor. what you undertake to say, Mr. Riggs,"
At the time to which I refer, the celebrated says the Chancellor, " my mind's made
—
and distinguished James Kent, father of up" " But if your Honor Avould only
—
the late Judge AVilliam Kent, was Chan- hear " " I have heard you fully, Mr. Riggs,
cellor. Mr. Riggs, of course, always had a and don't want to hear anything more."
pretty large share of the business to be " But if your Honor please, there are some
done in court. He was very patient and considerations Avhich I think I could ad-
—
thorough in his examination and prepara- duce which would" with this the Chan-
tion of a cause, and seklom failed of success cellor Avaxed impatient, turned suddenly
where he ought to have succeeded. He and looked out towards Chatham street,
was not an eloquent or very interesting saying, "Talk away, but there's no use in
speaker, but he was i)ertinacious in the it, my mind's made up." " Now if your
His personal ai)pearance was Honor please," rejoined Mr. Riggs, "I
extreme.
unique. I trust I shall not be considered think I may undertake to say
safely
—
as evincing any disrespect for his memory, Upon this theChancellor twisted himself
for he was ceitainly an able man, when I about and looked out towards Broadway,
state that his face was somewhat spare and saying, " Talk away —
talk away —talk all
sallow, and that the muscles of his coun- day, but it's of no use." In a moment or
tenance had a sort of smiling rigidity of two the Chancellor shil'ted towartls Chat-
expiession which never varied during the ham street, and then again towards Broad-
whole course of an argument. When he way, pretending not to hear, till at length
—
1863. HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 339
pointed by an adverse result yet he w'ould ture of a vessel made by a little French
;
take it with but the slightest if any evi- privateer called the " Marengo:'' The cap-
dence of disturbance. This struck me at ture was no doubt illegal, and Mr. Slosson
ZiO HISTORIC A L 31 AGAZIXE [Nov.
brouGjlit an action of trover in the Supreme miliar terras with pretty much all the farm-
j
Conrt to recoA'er the vnhie of the vessel ers and others who composed the jury, and
and cavfTo. Burr, instead of attempting to was consequently always listened to with a
maintain the legality of the capture, took favorable dispo.^ition on their part. He
mainly the ground that the Common-Law would never fail to amuse them with a
Courts had no jurisdiction -when a vessel good story in sumniing-u]) a case, would
was taken as a prize-of-war, but that it was contrive to pass around his snuft"-box among
a case for the Admiralty Courts. The con- them once or twice, and unless his case
test was long, and much learning was dis- was a very bad one indeed, he would gene-
played on both sides, but Slosson suc- rally win it. Although, as may be supposed
ceeded. His success, however, was but from what I have said, Mr. King was a
temporary. The perseverance of Burr in- very genial man, yet he was also character-
duced him to take the decision of the Su- ized by a remarkable degree of firmness
preme Court to the Court of Errors, where and inflexibility. Those who imagined from
the judgment was unanimously reversed on his good-nature that his principles were as
the ground taken by Col. Burr. In this yielding as his disposition was gentle, foi;nd
case at least Burr showed himself to be the themselves wonderfully mistaken. His in-
better lawyer of the two. It Avas seldom, tegrity was of the highest order, and his
howevci-, that Mr. Slosson failed in event- honesty of purj^ose was as firm as adamant.
ually establishing his opinions on legal sub- ]\Ir. King was a very kind man, ever ready
jects to be correct; and with regard to the to serve a friend and to do a gooil act to
case in question my impression is that no others. He died in Brooklyn, and during
other available course was left open to Mr. his last illness received the affectionate
Slosson at the time than the one he pur- visits of many of his friends. To those
sued. who knew and recollect him, and there
The present Judge Slosson of New York are many still living who do so, it will be
is, I beheve, a son of William Slosson. unnecessary for me to say that there are
It is with great pleasure that I next turn perhaps none to whose memory they can
to present to you a hastily drawn portrait look back with more true esteem and re-
of Elisha W. Kixg, another prominent gard. As an example of a professional
member of the New York Bar in the time man of unusual talent, who pursued an ho-
of which I speak. I spent some time in his norable and successful career, a fiiithful and
othce after 1 left that of Col. Burr. Mr. able public officer, a kind husband and
King was well known, and Avas indeed a father, and a warm friend, fl-w have been
favorite on Long Island, and particularly his equals.
in Kings County, where he was engaged in After speaking of Mr. King in connexion
the most important cases that were tried with this county, my thoughts are natu-
there and he had a very handsome prac- rally turned to Peti:r W. IIaixliff, one
;
tice in New York. He was also an Alder- of his cotemporaries, who kept his oflice hi
man of the City of New York for some New York, but resided in this city. ]\Ir.
years at a time when it was esteemed an RadcliffAvas a remarkable as well as an ex-
honor to hold that office, because who did cellent and able man. My friend N. F.
hold it were worthy and honorable men. Waring, Esq., Avas for several years a stu-
Personally Mr. King was of handsome dent in his otflce, and probably could give
exterior, and in conversation one of the many interesting reminiscences concerning
most agreeable and affable of men fond him. But I knew him many years, and was
;
of social intercourse and capable of telling on terms of friendship and intercourse with
a good story ; and owing to these qualities him. When 1 s;iy that he was a remarkable
and his official influence he had hosts of man, I mean in reference to his peculiar
friends. He was a fluent and forcible characteristics. He was a very ])recise man,
speaker, and tried a cause with admirable and very methodical in Avhat he tlid. He
tact. He was on friendly and almost la- made out every night what he termed an
lu
1S63.J HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 341
affe?ida--emhyacm<r all that he had to at- side of Columbia street, and had a beautiful
tend to the next day. This Avas on
a nar- garden in the rear extending to the brow
row slip of paper, and as each matter re- of the hill, which was tilled with choice
ceived Its proper share of attention
it was fruit trees, vines, flowers, and shrubs,
struck off. He was a very in
industrious, which he took great delight. By the grad-
])ains-takiiig, and thorough man
in examin- ing of Furman street a great part of the
ing the papers appertaining to
a case, and slope of the which had formed the sup-
hill
in his investigations of
the^legal questions port of his grounds was cut otF and his
appertaining to them. His bi-iefs were very
grounds gave way— his garden was ruined,
lull and
his arguments thorough—
so much and the beauty and charm of his residence
so that Judge Edwards, one
of our most destroyed. This was a severe blow to
able Circuit Judges, used to say
of them Judge Radcliff, and he never got over it.
that they were like a drag-net,
thing behind them. Another
leaving no- He sued the city for redress, but could not
remarkable obtain It. The courts held that
ieature mMr. Kaddiff's character was had a right the city
to grade the street, and that his
that, notwithstanding his
admitted ability loss was damnum absque
and industry, he seldom felt an
entire con- mage without wrong.
injuria —a da-
lidence in the correctness of It was a hard case,
his conclu- and it seems
sions He could see some point of difficulty ot Errors to be hard law but the Couit
;
much
civilizing it and roltbing it of as
as they could carry of its fabulous
mer-
wealth in gold and oth<ir pre<"ious
rhandise. It was a fairyland lying at our
very doors, peopled with ii civilization
word from Mexico that is likely todeur-i gether as to be confusing. Soon a Lon-
point onco more, perhaps to don edition was published, then one in
the l*''rench, then one in Dutch. Siuce then
It is ->» ,"»l">i-t;)»t l*^';)'';
-
mine it Hually.
wit i cditious have appeared from time to time
too. for i'ike is Keuerally credited in this country, in response to a contin-
havms? been a true patriot am Ji man uiiiK demand. The last was published in
unsullied honor, a soldier who
li\«<i.
•.^f 3ISii,"5. the editor being that really scientific
while
fought and died for his country, investigator. KUiott Clones.
i
It contains a
his fame af> an explorer is
world-wide. |
memoir of Pike and throws much new light
is excil- on tlie whole subject, but still leaves un-
The news from Mexico whichentirely answered the iiuestion as to whether Pike
imr the hisloriaiis was perhaps (
I ader. It consisted
.
of a very briet (ti>- .
'I'..", li.. u 1^ i-r iH- i.M''Ui'<l suits of which were of acknowledged im-
portance. The letter said ihat. although
the expe<litlon had "not been 'inrtertaken
,k it time to m-eive a visit by order of the President." its ori^aniza-
their emlssurios. anci
Mish 01- tlon and purposes wei-e known to hlra and
i„ a few days after Kobln- its results would be "intci-esting." This
i.aiiuni. a message came to bhu was when the wllv Wilkinson was unde*-
,
•ill escort, on h
s way out of the <^s,|
had been, that Pike himself did not know.
rv 1 is trunk full of
papers went And that is undoubtedly the truth— seldom
i
the Spanish
..i liim. hut at fhihaukna as Wilkinson ever fold it— but the full an-
;,mmau'i;-.-ln-chief said i',\""'m
d"'
'IS swer to the question which he turned aside
stay t« retain tlieiu and he did. IhefeC with this reply may be found iu the papers
discovered
;.re doubtless the papers .i"«t ji: r flis^ovfved iu Mexico.
AVhc-ther he was a messenger
fiom Hull Pike attempted through several years to
or Wilkii sou oi- not Pike was very coiir-
obtain extra remuucratiou for himself and
pmislv treated He was never a captive his men for the expedition they had made.
leave the country
,ev ,ud bo 1 g required
to Whether his failure to do so was because
nder escort He was taken to American pres- of the Government's suspicion of AVilkin-
the
m-itoiv a a point now within
and there "le- son's connection with the trip or merely
ent boundaries of Louisiana, and en route because of a penurioiisness which has fre-
o-ised" While in Santa Fe quently been manifested la not known.
territory Pike kept Zebulou Montgomery Pike was born in
b 01 -h the Spanish
usual, and not-
his eves and ears open, as Trenton, N. .1.. in 1779. He was the son
i
torious.
Burr was being tried for
Sai ta Fe that
brief note
,"uspii"cy. and make* a very
of It in his journal.^ ^ i
when at ast he
,
P ke was overdue
territory. >V-ilkmsou
rea-hed Amerlean ,
letter in reply,
•ike at once wrote a Ions
the end
naking oulv a bare refereu.'e at
the a"cu\=ations against
Wilkinson and
i
the laaiis
Mjre but in the evening, finding to wine. I
of San a f" «rre
treating them
Intemperance might
was apim-hensive that
^^'jJiriiall'ma'l'en back long before
became aware of gossip ageni
V" ^;,^'^, ' ssa
oi mi ssa^e4 ,
he had been a private cim-
un;
to the slJanlards Jn
^he
beam- spiiltin lei
i»nli-acv He at once wrote a Se.retaiy of,
Ter to' tieneral Hearborn.
as
War asl^liK for such an expression
i
The Romance of Aaron Burr
Lewis.
- —
G^-^ ^1-r^^
ita^cMx!^
W
TH E
ROMANCE
OF
AARON BURR.
^OW when young Aaron, "It is their ostentation, wife; their sense-
metropo-
in the throbbing less parade of wealth. One sees the latter
lis of New York, finds everywhere. was to breakfast at General
I
himself a lawyer and a Schuyler's; an elaborate affair. The}'
it w^as
married man, with an assured me their best people were present;
olhce by the Bowling Coster, Livingston, Bleecker, Beekman, Jay
Green and a house in were some of the names. A more elegant
fashionable Maiden Lane, repast I never ate —
all set as it was with a
he gives himself up to a cool survey of his profusion of massive plate. There were a
"
surroundings. What he sees is fairly and silver tea pot, a silver coffee pot
honestly set forth by the good Doctor Bellamy "Solid silver?"
after that dominie returns to Bethlehem and "Aye! The King's hall-mark was on
Madam Bellamy. The latter, like all true them; I looked. And finest linen, too
women, is curious, and gives the Doctor no white as snow! Also cups of gilt; and after
peace until he relates his experiences. the toast, plates of peaches and a musk
" The city," observes the veracious Doctor, melon! It was more a feast than a break-
looking up from his tea and muffins, " is fast."
large; some say as large as twenty-seven "Why, it is a tale of profligacy!"
thousand. I walked every part of it,
to "Their manners, however," goes on the
seeing all a stranger should. There is much good Doctor, " do not keep pace with their
opulence there. The rich, of whom there splendid houses and furnishings. There is
are many, have not only town houses, but no good breedmg; they ha\-e no conversa-
cool country seats north of the town. Their tion, no modesty. They talk loud, fast,
Broad Way is a
noble street very
fine, — and all together. It is a mere theater of din
wide I —
fairer than any in Boston." and witless babble. They ask a question;
"Doctor!" expostulates Madam Bellamy. and then, before you can answer, break in
"Wife, it is fact! They have, too, a new with a stream of inane chatter. To be
"
church, which cost twenty thousand pounds. short, I met but one real gentleman
At their shipyard I saw an East Indiaman "Aaron!"
of eight hundred tons —an immense vessel! "Aye, wife; Aaron. I can say nothing
The houses are grand, being for the better good of his religious side; since, for all he
part painted —
even the brick houses." is the grandson of the sainted Jonathan
"What! Paint a brick house?" Edwards, he is no better than the heathen
404 THE ROMANCE OF AARON BURR
towers the sour, self-seeking, self-sufficient
General Schuyler. Aaron, in the gossip of
the coffee houses, hears much of
General
Schuyler. Also, he hears more of that
austere
jjerson's son-in-law, the brilliant
Alexander
Hamilton.
" I shall make his acquaintance,"
be glad to
thinks Aaron,when he is told of the latter.
"I met him after the battle of Long Island,
when in his pale eagerness to escape the
English he had left baggage and guns behind.
Yes; I shall indeed be glad to see him.
That such as he can come to eminence in the
town possesses its encouraging side." There
is a sneer on Aaron's face, as" these thoughts
run in his mind; those praises of son-in-law
Hamilton have vaguely angered his self-love.
Aaron's opportunity to meet, and make
the young ex-artilleryman's acquaintance,
is not long in coming. The Tories, whom
the war stripped of their property and civil
JOHN JAV, MEMBER OF THE CON INE.N lAL ((NuKE^S, IIRST
I
CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT, rights, are praying for relief. meetingA
GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK, I795-1801 of the town's notables has been called; the
local great ones are to come together in the
that rageth. But his manners! what a — Long Room of the Fraunces Tavern. Being
polished contrast to the boorishness about together, they will consider how far a decen't
him! Against that \ulgar background he Americanism may unbend toward a Tory
shines out like the sun at noon!" relief.
Young Aaron, beginning to remember Aaron arrives early, for the Fraunces Long
his twenty-seven years, objects to the de- Room is his favorite lounge. The big apart"
scriptive "young." He has ever scorned ment has witnessed no changes since a day
it, as though it were some epithet of infamv. when poor Peggy Moncrieffe, as the modern
Now he takes open stand against it. Ariadne, wept on her near-by Naxos, while
"I am not so young," says he, to one who
mentions him as in the morning of his years;
"I am not so young but that I have com-
manded a brigade, sir, on a field of stricken
battle. ]\ry rank was that of colonel! You
will oblige me by remembering the title."
In view of the gentleman's tartness, it
will be as well jierhaps hereafter to drop the
"young"; for no one likes to give offense.
Besides, our tart gentleman married, and
is
a father. Still, "colonel" isbut a word of
pewter when no war is on. " Aaron should
'
'
and suggestion.
rife of The eyes are (juick,
In-ight, seltish, unreUable, prone to look KOUEKT K. LIVINGSION, A MEMIJEK OK THE COMTNE.NTAL
one wav while the plausible tongue talks CONGRESS, MINISTER TO FRANCE, 180I-1805. HE NEGOTIATED
As for the face generally- fresh, THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE, AND WAS ASSOCIATED WITH FUL-
another]
TON IN FURTHERING STEAMBOAT NAVIGATION
full, sensual, brisk— it is the face of a flat-
himself by lies whispered in the dark. loud, confldent tone, with the manner of one
who regards his own position as impregnable,
and his word decisi\e of whate\er question
is discussed.
The pomjjous self-consequence of son-in-
law Hamilton arouses the dander of Aaron.
Nor isthe latter's wrath the less, when he
discovers that General Schuyler's self-
satisfied voung relative thinks the suppliant
Tories should be listened to, as folk over-
harshly dealt with.
As Aaron considers son-in-law Hamilton,
and decides unfavorably concerning that
young gentleman's bumptiousness and pert
AAKON BURK
Riproduccd from eiigj-aving of portrait by J. Vandyke
bygones be bygones, and restore the Tories, advance. The Tories were traitors. They
in both property and station, to a j)hK-e which were worse than the English. It was they
they occupied before that pregnant Philadel- who set the Indians on our borders to torch
phia Fourth of July in 1776. and tomahawk and scalping knife. They
All this, and more to similar effect, the have been most liberally, most mercifully
austere Schuyler rasps forth. When he dealt with, when they are permitted to go
closes, a profound silence succeeds; for unhanged. As for restoring their forfeited
there is no one who does not know the estates, or permittingthem any civil share
Schuyler power, or believe that the rasping in a government which they did their best
ALFRHl) HHNRY LEWIS 407
to strangle in the cradle, the thought is pre- than son-in-law Hamilton is upon him ver-
posterous. They may liave been "respect- bally. \\'hile ajjproving ones are
tho.se
able" as General Schuyler states; if so, admiringly buzzing, the latter begins to talk.
the respectability was —
spurious a mere His tones are high and ])atronizing, his
hypocritical cover for souls reeking of vile- manner condescending. He speaks to Aaron
ness. They may have had pews in Trinity. direct, and not to the audience. He will do
There are ones who, wanting pews in Trinitx-, his best, he explains, to be tolerant, for he
ALEXANDER HAMILTON
A/ade from an etching by Jacques Reich
still hope to make their worldly foothold has heard that Aaron is new to the town.
good, and save their souls at last. None the less, he must ask that daring person
As Aaron takes his seat by Colonel Troup, to bear his newness more in mind. He
a murmur of guarded agreement runs through himself, he says, cannot escape the feeHng
the company. Many are the looks of sur- that one who is no better than a stranger,-
prised admiration cast in his young direction. an interloper, might with a nice propriety
Truly, the new-comer has made a stir. remain silent on occasions such as this.
Not that his stir-making is to go unop- Son-in-law Hamilton ends by declaring that
posed. No sooner is Aaron in his chair. the position taken by Aaron, on this subject
4o8 THE ROMAN CH OF AARON BURR
of Tories andvvluit shall be their rights, is claims. 1 myself was a soldier, and while
unAmcrican. He, himself, has fought for serving as such was so fortunate as to meet
the Revolution; hut, now it is ended, he our frienc^. He does not remember the
holds that gentlemen of honor and liberality meeting. Nor do I blame him; for it was
will not be guided by the ugly clamor of upon a day when he had forgotten his bag-
partisans, who would make the unending gage, forgotten one of his guns, forgotten
punishment of Tories a virtue, and call it everything in truth .save the English behind
j)atriotism. He fears that Aaron misunder- him; and I should be much too vain if I
stands the sentiments of those among whom expected that, under such forgetful circum-
he has j)itched his tent, and congratulates stances, he would remember me. As to my
him on a youth that offers both an excuse newness in the town, and that crippled
for the rashness of his expressions and the Americanism wherewith he charges me, I
hope that he may live to gain a better wisdom. have little to say. I got no one's consent to
Son-in-law Hamilton does himself proud, come to New York; I shall ask no one's
and the rusty old General arches his crest, permission to stay. Doubtless I would have
to find himself so well defended. been more within a fashion, had I gone with
The rusty General exhibits both surprise both questions to the gentleman, or to his
and anger, when the rebuked Aaron again celebrated father-in-law who presides here
(i E N K K A L G K O N <; E CLINTON
Stalcsman and soldier : Governor of the State of New York^ '777-1795 <^*td iSoi-iS
signifiesa desire to be heard. This time, to-day. These errors, however, I must
Aaron, following that orator's examjjle, abide by. Also, I shall content myself with
talks not to the audience but to son-in-law an Americanism which, though it possess
Hamilton himself. none of those sunburned. West Indian ad-
"Our friend," says Aaron, "reminds me vantages so strikingly illustrated in the
that Iam young in years; and I think this gentleman, may at least remember that it
the more generous on his i)art, since I have is two hundred years old."
seen quite as many
years as has he himself. Having returned upon the self-sutVicient
He calls attention to the battle-battered head of son-in-law Hamilton, those courtesies
share he took in securing the Iil)erties of this which the latter lavished uj)on him, Aaron
country; and, while I believe him better proceeds to say again, but with more vigori>us
qualified to win laurels as a son-in-law than emphasis, what anti-Tory sentiments he has
as a soldier, I concede him the crc^dit he earlier ex])rcssed. \\'hen he ceases s])caking
S
its development before pronouncing for finds in them some chilling touch as of death.
either side. The
however, would
feeling, He realizes, as much from the grim fineness
seem to follow the lead of Aaron; for a re- of Aaron's manner as from his raw, unguarded
solution, smelling of leniency toward Tories, words, that Aaron is ready to carry discussion
is laid upon the table. to the cold verge of the grave.
Son-in-law Hamilton's nature lacks in
that bitter drop, so present in Aaron's, which
teaches folk to die but never yield. Where-
THAT SEAT IN THE SENATE fore, in his heart he now shrinks back, afraid
to go forward with a situation grown peril-
M A J O K - (; F. N E K A I. 1' H I I. I r S C 11 i: V 1. E R
A soldier and politician, General Schuyler -ivas one 0/ New York's two senators to the First Congress
gentleman's face is a study in black an.d red. concerning what course he shall pursue.
His expression is a composite of rage colored Saying which he gets away from the Fraunces
of fear. The defiance of Aaron is so full, Long Room somewhat abruptly, feathers
so frank, that it seems studied. Son-in-law measurably subdued. Aaron lingers but a
Hamilton is not sure of its purpose, or what moment after son-in-law Hamilton departs,
intrigue it may hide. Deeply impressed as and then goes his polished, taciturn way.
to his own importance,the thought takes hold The nine-days' food for
incident is a
on him that Aaron's attack is parcel of some gossip; wagers are made of a coming bloody
deliberate design by folk who either hate him encounter between Aaron and son-in-law
or envy him, or both, to lure him to the duel- Hamilton. Those lose who accept the
ling ground and kill him out of the way. He sanguinary side; the two meet, but the
draws a long breath at this, and sweats a collision is politely peaceful, even while no
little; for life is good and death not at all good friendliness but only a wider separation
\
r HOME OK AAKDN BURR. IT WAS WASHINGTON'S HEADQl' AKTERS FOR A SHORT TIME IN 1776. BORDkR-
ING THE HUDSON, THE ESTATE COMPRISED GROUND NOW TRAVERSED BY SPRING STREET
is the upcome. The meeting is the work of be reason for our meeting, he must come to
son-in-law Hamilton, who is presented by me."
Colonel Troup. "You forget General Schuyler's age!"
" We
should know each other better, returns sop-in-law Hamilton. There is a
Colonel Burr," he observes. ring of threat in the tones.
Son-in-law Hamilton is the smiling picture "Sir," responds Aaron, stiffly, "I forget
of an affability that of itself is a kind of nothing. There is an age-cant which I will
flattery. Aaron bows, while those affable not tolerate. I desire to be understood as
rays glance from his chill exterior as from saying, and you may repeat my words'to
sir,
the courtier, he looks to see the honored one serves Aaron, jjointing the remark with one
eagerly headlong to go to General Schuyler of those black, ophidian stares. " Also, I
— that Jove who controls not alone the local do you the courtesy to assume that you in-
thunderbolts but the local laurels. He is tend no criticism of myself by your remark."
shocked to his courtier-like core, when Aaron There is a rising inflection as though a
maintains his cold reserve. question is put. Son-in-law Hamilton so far
"Pardon me, sir!" says Aaron. "Say submits to the inflection as to explain. He
to General Schuyler that his request is im- intends only to say that General Schuyler's
possible. I never call on gentlemen at their place in the community is of such high and
suggestion and on their affairs. When I honorable sort, as to make his request to call
have cause of my own to go to General upon him a mark of favor. As to criticism:
Schuyler, I shall go. Until then, if there — Why, then, he criticized no gentleman.
ALFRED HENRY LEWIS 411
There is much profound bowing, and the sweeping down to the Hudson Richmond —
meeting ends, Colonel Troup, a trille aghast, Hill, where he played slave of the quill to
retiring with son-in-law Hamilton, whose Washington, and suffered in his vanity from
arm he takes. the big General's loftily abstracted pose.
" There could be no agreement with that Master of a mansion, he fills his libraries
young man," mutters Aaron, looking after w'ith books and his cellars with wine. Thus
the retreating Hamilton, "save on a basis he is never without good company, reading
of submission to his leadership. I'll be first, the one or sipping the other. The faded
or nothing." Theodosia presides over his house; and,
Aaron himself industriously to the
settles because of her years or his lack of them, her
practise of law. In the courts, as in every- manner toward him trenches upon the
thing else, he is merciless. Lucid, inde- maternal.
fatigable, convincing, he asks no quarter, The household is a hive of happiness.
gives none. His business expands; clients Aaron, who takes the j^edagogue instinct
crowd about him; prosperity descends in a from sire and grandsire, puts in his leisure
shower of gold. drilling the small Prevost boys in their les-
Often he runs counter to son-in-law Hamil- sons. He have them talking Latin and
will
ton —himself actively in the law —before reading Greek like little priests, before he is
judge and jury. When they are thus op- done with them. As for baby Theodosia,
posed, each is the other's match for a care- she reigns the chubby queen of all their
ful but wintry courtesy. For all his courtesy, hearts; it is to her credit, not theirs, that she
however, Aaron seldom fails to defeat son- isn't hopelessly spoiled.
in-law Hamilton in whatever litigation they In hiswine and his reading, Aaron's tastes
are about. His vminterrupted victories over take opposite directions. The books he
that young gentleman are an added reason likes are heavy, while his best-liked wines
for the latter's jealous hatred. He and his are light. He reads Jeremy Bentham; also
rusty father-in-law become doubly Aaron's he finds comfort in William Godwin and
foes, and grasp at every chance to do him Mary WoUstonecraft. He adorns his study
harm. with a portrait of the latter lady; which feat
And yet, that antagonism has its compen- in decoration furnishes the prudish a pang.
sations. brings Aaron into favor with
It These book-radicalisms and his weaknesses
Governor Clinton; it finds him allies among for alarming doctrines, social and political,
the Livingstons. The latter powerful family do not help Aaron's standing with respectable
invite him into their politics. He thanks hypocrites, of whom there are vast numbers,
them, but declines. He is for the law; and who for its fashion and commerce and
hungry to make money, he sees no profit politics give the town a tone. These whited
but only loss in politics. sepulchers of society purse discreet yet con-
In his gold-getting, Aaron is marvelously demnatory lips when Aaron's name is men-
successful; and, as he rolls up riches, he tioned, and speak of him as favoring " Ben-
buys land. Thus one proud day he becomes thamism" and "Godwinism." Our dullard
master of Richmond Hill, with its lawn pharisee folk know no more of Bentham- ''
glance rove officeward. And yet there is one who, from his place
This anti-oflfice coolness is all on Aaron's as attorney-general, is watching that Senate
side. He does not pursue office; but now seat as a tiger watches its prey. Noiselessly,
and again office pursues him. Twice he yet none the less powerfully, Aaron gathers
goes to the Legislature; next Governor himself for the spring. Both his pride and
Clinton asks him to become attorney-general. his hate are involved in what he is about.
As attorney-general he makes one of a To be a senator is to wear a proudest title
commission, Governor Clinton at its head, in the land. In this instance to be a senator
which sells five and a half million acres of means a staggering blow to that Schuyler-
the public land for $1,030,000. The highest Hamilton tribe whose foe he is. Also, it
price received is three shillings an acre; opens a pathw^ay to the injury of V\'ashington.
the purchasers number six. The big sale is He would be even for what long-ago war-
to Alexander Macomb, who is given a deed slights the big General put upon him, slights
for three million six hundred thousand acres which he neither forgets nor forgives.
at eight pence an acre. The public howls Aaron smiles a pale, thin-lipped smile as he
over these surprising transactions in real es- pictures with the eye of rancorous imagina-
tate. The popular anger, however, is leveled tion the look which will spread across the
at Governor Clinton, he being a sort of face of Washington, when he hears of the
Caesar. Aaron, who dwells more in the back- rusty Schuyler's overthrow and him who
ground, escapes unscathed. brought that overthrow about. The smile
While these several matters go forward, is quick to die, however, for he who would
the nation adopts a constitution. Then it strip his toga from the rusty Schuyler must
elects Washington, President, and sets up not sit down to dreams and castle-building.
government-shop in New York. Aaron's Aaron goes >et sedulously about
silently
part in these mighty doings is the quiet })arl. his In their execution he foresees
plans.
He does not think much of the Constitution, tliat many will be hurt; the stubborn outlook
but. accepts it; he thinks less of Washington, does not daunt him. One cannot make
but accepts him, too. It is within the rim omelettes without breaking eggs.
of the possible that son-in-law Hamilton, In his coming war with the rusty Schuyler,
sitting in Washington's Cabinet as Secretary Aaron feels the need of two things; he must
.of the Treasury, hely)s the Administration have an issue, and he must have allies. It
to a lowest place in Aaron's esteem; for he is of vital importance to bring Governor
is a priceless hater, and that feud is in no Clinton to the shoulder of his ambitions.
degree relaxed. Tie looks that potentate over with a calculat-
When the national GoNcrnnient is born, ing c\c. making a mental catalogue of his
the rusty General Schuyler and Kufus King approachable points.
are chosen senators ior New York. The rusty i'he old Governor is of Irish blood and
old General, in the little lottery which ensues, \ Irish temper. His ancestors were not the
draws the short term. This in no wise ([uietest folk in Galway. Being of gun-
weighs upon him. What difference should ])()wder stock, he dearly loves a foe, and
it make? At the close of that short term, will no more forget a feud than a favor.
he will be reelected for a full term of si.\ Aaron shows the old Governor that, in his
years. To assume otherwise would be i)rc- own laic election, the Schuvler-Hamilton
—
ALFRED HENRY LEWIS 413
interest was slyly behind his opponent, rusty Schuyler, who, with son-in-law Hamil-
Judge Yates, and nearly brought home ton, aforetime played the hypocrite, and
victory for the latter. pulled treacherous wires against him in
"You owe General Schuyler," says Aaron, the hope of compassing his defeat. He de-
"no help at this pinch. Still less are you in clares himself fjuite satisfied to let the Liv-
debt to Hamilton. It was the latter that ingstons select what fortunate one is to be
put Yates in the field." the Senate successor of the rusty Schuyler.
"And yet," protests the old Governor He urges Aaron to wait on the Livingstons
— inclined to anger but not quite convinced without delay, and discover their feelings.
"and yet I saw no signs of either Schuyler Aaron confers with the Livingstons, and
or his son-in-law in the business." shows them many things. Mostly he shows
" Sir, that is their duplicity. One so open them that, should he be cho.sen senator, it
as yourself would be the last to discover will necessitate his resignation as attorney-
such intrigues. The young fox Hamilton general. Also, he makes it appear that, if
managed the affair; in doing so, he moved the old Governor be properly approached,
only in the dark, walked in all the running he will name one Morgan Lewis to fill the
water he could find." vacancy thus arranged. The Livingston
What Aaron says is true; in the finish he eye glistens; the mother of Morgan Lewis
gives proof to the old Governor. At that the is a Livingston, and the oflice of attorney-
latter's Irish blood begins to gather heat. general will match his fortunes nicely.
"It is as you tell me!" he cries at last; Besides, there are several ways wherein an
"I can see it now! That West Indian attorney-general might be of much Living-
renegate Hamilton was the bug under the ston use. No; the Livingstons do not say
Yates chip!" these things. They say instead that none
"And you must not forget, sir, that for is more nobly equipped for the role of senator
takes this action in dudgeon, and begins thirteen on a whole vote of forty-eight. It
filing its teeth. is now no longer "Aaron Burr," no longer
Puffiest among those Senate puffballs is "Colonel Burr"; it is " Senator Burr." The
the rusty Schuyler. As narrow as he is arro- news puts ten years on the rusty Schuyler.
gant, and as dull as he is vain, his contempt As for son-in-law Hamilton, the blasting
for the herd was never a secret. As a senator word of it withers and makes sick his heart.
{To he continued)
FAITH
(F}-o>it Victor Hugo)
OD'S
G That
bird be thou,
A REMARKABLE AMERICAN
A Tragic Story of Perverted Genius
Bv L. K. Becker
LIEUT. -COL. AARON BURR harbor for years that did not bring a
, came out of the United States consignment of books to him.
army in 1779 certain of a distin- The hospitality of the Burr house
guished career. Licensed to practice was unlimited; the manners of the
law in 1782, he hastened to claim the host were of the Chesterfield order.
widow he had won and to set up Distinguished guests were often en-
housekeeping in tertained; statesmen, judges, bishops
Albany. and, among foreigners, Talleyrand,
Gen. Alexan- Louis Philippe and Jerome Bona-
der Hamilton parte.
had married also The LTnited States senatorship
and established launched Burr upon a turbulent
himself in the political sea, and Richmond Hill with
same city side
;
its handsome appointments, its
by side these retinue of servants and its lavish
brilliant young hospitality began to bear heavily
m en of the upon the income of its master, Avho
young Nation was absent much of the time. The
Aaron Burr were destined to
run their race to
doom for the ruin of Burr dates
;
that deprived the United States of solicitor. So satisfied was the lady
its foremost statesman, filled the with his services that she invited his
American people with sorrow and acquaintance, Avhich resulted in their
indignation and blasted forever the marriage. But it was not long before
name and fame of Aaron Burr. a rupture occurred between the
A few hours later he was discov- couple on account of the disappear-
ered in his library, calmly perusing ance of certain bonds and money
a classic, though the city was plunged belonging to the lady.
in grief over his morning's work. --r- The last act of the drama
Before the day was over, Col. Burr ';j was at hand; paralysis laid
was a fugitive, and Richmond Hill the old man low. A gen-
knew him no more as a master. Be- erous woman, learning
fore the end of his term his condition,
of office he was tried for to ok h m i
" SilvcM- and ^old arc not llie only coin; virtue too passes
current all over the world."— Euripides
THE INDICTMENT OF AARON BURR
{THE ROMANCE OF AARON BURR)
BY
lawn to the Potomac, shining who, gifted of a keen political eye, hungrily
like silver in the rays of the full foresees a final attorney-generalship in what
May moon, his face shows cloudy and angry. he is about. " And
yet, as I was about to say,
The face of the sage of Monticello has put which should be considered.
there are matters
aside its usual expression of philosophy. In There is George Hay, for instance; he is the
place of the calm that should reign there, the Government's attorney for the Richmond dis-
look which prevails is one of narrowness, trict. It is his province as well as duty to
prejudice and wrathful passion. prosecute Colonel Burr; he might resent my
Apparently he waits the coming of a visitor, being saddled upon him. Have vou thought
for he wheels without surprise as a fashion- ofjSIr. Hay?"
ably dressed gentleman is ushered in by a "Thought of him? Hay is a dullard, a
servant. blockhead, a respectable —
nonentity! no
"Ah, Wirt!" he cries; "be seated, please. more fitcontend with Colonel Burr and
to
You got my note?" those whom he will have about him than
—
William Wirt is thirty-five a clean, well- would be a sucking babe! He is of no cour-
bred figure of the conventional Virginia gen- age, no force, sir; he seems to think that, as
tleman. He accepts the proffered chair, but the son-in-law of James Monroe, he has done
with the manner of one only half at ease, as quite enough to merit success in both law and
not altogether liking the reason of his WTiite politics. No; there is much depending on
House presence. this trial, and I desire you to try it. Burr
"Your note, Mr. President?" he repeats. must be convicted. The black Federal plot
" Oh, yes, I received it. \\Tiat you propose is to destroy this Republic and set a monarchy
—
highly flattering. And yet and yet
" in its stead, a plot of which he is but a single
326 THE INDICTMENT OF AARON BURR
admit him to bail? Does that not look as
though Marshall had taken possession of the
case in Burr's intere.;t ? You spoke a moment
ago of the propriety of Hay prosecuting the
charge against Burr, being, as he is, the Gov-
ernment's attorney for that district. Does it
not occur to you that his honor, Judge Griffin,
is the iudge for that district ? And yet Mar-
shall shoves him aside to make room on the
l^ench for himself. Sir, there is chicanery in
this. We must watch Marshall. A Chief
Justice indeed! A
Chief Federalist rather!
Why, he so much
lacked self-respect as to
become a guest at a dinner given in Colonel
Burr's honor, after he had committed that
traitor in ten thousand dollars bail! An ex-
cellent, a dignified Chief Justice truly!
doing dinner-table honor to one whom he
must presently try for a capital offence!"
"Justice Marshall's appearance at the
— —
Burr dinner" Wirt makes the admission
doubtfully "was not, I admit, in the very
flower of good taste. None the less, I should
JOHN MARSHALL, FIRST CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED
infer honesty rather than baseness from such
STATES, PRESIDING JUDGE IN THE BURR TRIAL
appearance. If he contemplated any wrong
in Colonel Burr's favor, he would have re-
figure, must be nipped in the bud. Also, you mained away. Coming to the case itself,"
will find that I am to be on trial as much as continues Wirt, anxious to avoid further
Colonel Burr. The case will not be 'The discussion of Judge Marshall, as a topic
People against Aaron Burr,' but 'The Fed- whereon he and Jefferson are n(^t likely to
eralists against Thomas Jefferson.' Do you agree, "what is the specific act of treason
understand? I am the object of a Federal with which the Government charges Colonel
plot, as much as is the Government itself! Burr?"
John Marshall, that arch Federalist, will be "The conspiracy wherein he was prime
on the bench, doing all he can for the plotters mover aimed first to take Mexico from the
and their instrument, Colonel Burr. It is no Spanish. Having taken Mexico, the plotters
time to risk myself on so slender a support as — —
Colonel Burr at the head purposed seizing
George Hay. It is you who must conduct New Orleans. That would give them a hold
this cause." in the vast region drained by the Mississippi.
Wirt a bit scandalized by this outburst;
is Everything west of the Alleghanies was ex-
especially at the reckless dragging in of Chief pected to ilock 'round their standards. With
Justice Marshall. He expostulates; but is an empire reaching from Daricn to the Great
too much the courtier to let any harshness Lakes, from the Pacific to the Alleghanies,
creep into either his manner or his speech. their final move was to be upon Washington
"You surely do not mean to say," he be- itself. Sir, the Federalists hate this Republic
For all his long robe, is he of different clay my arrival, that Colonel Burr has been in
than any other? Believe me, he's a Federal- Washington."
ist long before he's a Judge! I>ct me ask a "That was three days ago. He demanded
(|uestion or two. Why did Marsluill, the co])ies ofmy orders to Ciencral \\'iikinson.
Chief Justice mind you, hokl the preliminary When ])revented his obtaining them, he said
I
examination of Burr? Why, having held it, he would move for a subpania duces tecum,
did he not commit him for treason ? Why did addressed to me personally. Think of that,
he hold him only for a misdemeanor, and sir! Can you conceive greater impudence?
—
ALFRED HENRY LEWIS 327
men and stores?— the boat - building at formidable counsel. Aside from Wickham,
Marietta and Nashville? Are not those, and Botts, and Edmund Randolph, across
taken with the intention, hostile acts? —overt from Maryland will come Luther Martin."
acts of war?" "Luther Martin!" cries Jefferson. "So
Wirt falls into deep study. " We must," he they're to unloose that Federal bulldog
says after a moment's silence, "leave those against me! But then the whisky-swilling
questions, I fear, for Justice Marshall to beast is never sober."
decide." "No more safe as an adversary for that,"
Jefferson relates how he has written Gov- retorts Wirt. "If I am ever called upon to
ernor Pinckney of South Carolina advising write Luther Martin's epitaph, I shall make
the arrest of Alston. it,' Ever drunk and ever dangerous!'
" To be sure, Alston is not so bad as Colo-
nel Burr," he observes, "for the reason that On the bench sits Chief Justice Marshall
he is not so big as Colonel Burr; just as a tall, slender, eyes as black as Aaron's own,
WILLIAM WIRT, CHIEF COUNSEL FOR THE GOVERNMENT IN THE TRIAL OF Ul'RK
—
ALFRED HENRY LEWIS 329
face high, dignified, brow nohle, full, the — foul and grimy — eyes
rufiics bleary,
fierce,
whole man breathing distinction. By his bloodshot — nose bulbous, red as a carbuncle
side, like some small thing lost in shadow, no — a hoarse, roaring, threatening voice — the
one noticing him, no one addressing him, a Thersites of the hour. Never sober, he rolls
picture of silent huniilitv, sits District Judge into court as drunk as a Plantagenet. Ever
Griffin. dangerous, he reads, hears, sees everything,
For the Government comes Wirt, sneering, and forgets nothing. Quick, rancorous,
harsh — as cold and hard and fine and keen as headlong as a fighting bull, he lowers his
thrice tempered steel. With him is Hay horns against Wirt whenever that polished
slow, pompous, of much respectability and one j)uts himself within forensic reach. Also,
dull weakness. Assisting Wirt and Hay, and for all his cool, sneering skill, Toreador Wirt
filling a minor place, is one McRae. never meets the charge squarely, but steps
Leading for the defence is Aaron himself aside from it.
confident, unshaken. Already he has begun Apropos of nothing, as Martin takes his
to re-lay his plans of Mexican conquest. He place by the trial table, he roars out:
assures Blennerhasset, who is with him, that " Why isthis trial ordered for Richmond ?
the present interruption should mean no Why is it not heard in Washington ? It is by
more than a time-waste of six months. With command of Jefferson, sir. He thinks that in
Aaron sit Edmund Randolph, the local his own State of Virginia, where he is invinci-
Nestor; —
Wickham clear, sure of law and bleand Colonel Burr a stranger, the name of
fact; and Botts, the Bayard of the Richmond Jefferson will compel a verdict of guilt.
bar. Most formidable is Aaron's rear guard, There is fairness for you!"
the thunderous Luther Martin —
coarse, fu- Wirt glances across, but makes no response
rious, fearless —
gay clothes stained and soiled to the tirade; for Martin, purple of face.
a traitor, Jefferson lies in his throat!" expression of contempt played across the coun-
Hay tenance, such as one might show on seeing a
The crowd applaud enthusiastically.
person whom one considers mean and vile.
looks at Wirt.
" Who is the fellow ?" he asks.
" Oh he's a swash-buckler militia general,"
That evening Samuel Swartwout meets the
!
from' North and West and South. The stub- to a knave, every new link creates a fresh sensa-
tion of detestation and horror. As it gradually
born, faithful Swartwout is there, with his
or precipitately unfolds itself, we behold in each
brother Samuel; for Samuel Swartwout and succeeding coiuieclion and arising from the same
young Ogden and Adair and HoUman, shi])ped corrupt and contaminated snurce, the same
aforetime per schooner to Baltimore by the base and degenerated conduct. 1 could not
have supposed that you would have completed
red-nosed one as traitors, have been declared
the catalogue of your crimes by adding to the
innocent, and are all in Richmond attending guilt of treachery, forgery and perjury the ac-
upon their chief. complishment of cowardice. Having failed in
ALFRED HENRY LEWIS 331
officio commander-in-chief of the armv, The lustrous Theo arrives, and takes up
issued to the red-nosed Wilkinson. Arguing her residence with Aaron in the official
the motion, the violent Martin proceeds in suite, as lady of the establishment. Each day
these words: a hundred visitors call, among them the aris-
tocracy of the town. Also dinner follows
We intend to show that these orders were dinner; the official suite assumes a gala, not
contrary to the Constitution and the laws. We to say a gallant, look, and no one would think
intend to show that by these orders Colonel
ita prison, or dream for one urbane moment
Burr's property and person were to be de-
stroyed yes, by these tyrannical orders the that Aaron —
our follower of the gospel
;
life and property of an innocent man were to according to Lord Chesterfield is fighting —
be exposed to destruction. This is a peculiar for his life.
case, sirs. President Jefferson has undertaken Following the order for the subpoena duces
to pre-judge my client, by declaring that "of
his guilt there can be no doubt " He has
!
tecum, and Aaron's dinner-giving incarcera-
assumed to himself the knowledge of the Su- tion in the official suite, ^Larshall, Chief Jus-
preme Being, and pretended to search the tice, directs that the court be adjourned until
heart of my client. He has proclaimed him a
traitor in the face of the country. He has
—
August a month away.
Wirt, during the vacation, goes over to
let slip the dogs of war, the hell-hounds of per-
secution, to hunt down my client. And, now, Washington. He finds Jefferson in a mood
would the President of the United States, who of double anger.
—
JOHN RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE, FOREMAN OF GRAND JURY WHICH INDICTED BIRR FOR TREASON
"What did I tell vou," cries Jefferson, "Who is this Aaron Burr," he roars,
" —what did I tell you of Marshall ? " Then "whose guilt you have pronounced, and for
he rushes on to the utterances of the violent whose blood your parched throats so thirst!
Luther Martin. ''Shall you not move," he Was he not, a few years back, adored by
demands, "to commit Martin as particeps you next to your God? Were you not then
criminis with Colonel Burr? There should his warmest admirers? Did he not then
be evidence to fix upon him misprision of possess every virtue ? He was then in power.
treason at least. At any rate, such a step He had influence. You were proud of his
would put down our impudent Federal bull- notice. His merest smile brightened all your
dog, and show that the most clamorous faces. His merest frown lengthened all your
defenders of Colonel Burr are one and all his visages. Go, ye holiday, ye sunshine friends!
accomplices." ye time-servers, ye criers of hosanna to-day
Meanwhile, the "impudent Federal hull- —
and crucitiers to-morrow! go; hide your
dog" attends a Fourth of July dinner in Balti- heads from the contempt and detestation of
more. Every man at table save himself is an everv honorable, every right-minded man!"
adherent of JetTerson. Eager to demonstrate
that loyal fact to the Administration, sundry August: The day of trial arrives. Wirt,
of the guests make speeches full of uncom- with the dull, deferentHay, has gone over the
pliment for Martin, and propose a toast: testimony against Aaron, and arranged the
"Aaron Burr! May his treachery to his procession of its introduction. He will begin
country e.xalt him to the scalTold!" far back. Bv the mouth of the red-nosed
More speeches replete of venom are aimed —
Wilkinson st)mewhat in hiding from Swart-
at Martin; whereupon that undaunted —
wout and bv others, he will relate, from the
drunkard gets upon his feet. beginning, Aaron's dream of Mexican con-
ALFRED HENRY LEWIS 333
{To be continued.)
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